"With current extreme fire conditions, a small spark can quickly become a large wildfire," said Holly Jewkes, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Willamette National Forest. "We do not make this decision lightly, but we're doing all we can to protect public and firefighter safety."

Fire Crews are responding to multiple new lightning fires around the area.

Fires range in size from less than an acre up to approximately 20 acres. The new lightning-ignited fires are scattered across the higher elevation portions of the forest.

The use of chainsaws and generators is banned, and smoking is also prohibited outside of vehicles, trailers or developed recreation sites.

Campers can still cook with portable cooking stoves that use pressurized, liquid gas.